Virtual Reality for Metabolic Syndrome

Overseen By Alyson Sujkowski, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Wayne State University

Must not be taking: Beta-blockers, SSRIs

Disqualifiers: BMI>35, Exercise program, VR discomfort, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 10 weeks

48 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether virtual reality (VR) experiences can mimic the benefits of exercise for people with pre-diabetes, with or without high blood pressure. Researchers aim to determine if VR can improve protein expression and endurance similarly to exercise. Participants will be divided into groups to experience virtual cycling, real cycling, or a combination of both. Individuals with pre-diabetes who are not currently exercising, not taking medications that affect heart rate, and have a BMI (body mass index) under 35 might be a good fit. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative ways to manage pre-diabetes without traditional exercise.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are taking beta-blockers or SSRIs, you will need to stop, as these medications could affect the trial results.

What prior data suggests that this virtual reality method is safe for humans?

Research shows that virtual reality (VR) exercise treatments are generally easy for people to handle. Several studies have examined the effects of VR-based exercises on health and found encouraging results. For example, VR exercise can improve both physical and mental health, indicating that people usually do well with VR exercise without many issues.

Negative side effects are rare in these studies, and most participants report positive experiences with VR exercises. One study found that using VR exercises at work seemed to lower the risk of heart problems, highlighting its potential safety and health benefits.

While specific data on side effects is not available here, studies suggest that VR exercise treatments are safe and beneficial for health. This makes them a promising option for those unable to exercise in traditional ways. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using virtual reality for metabolic syndrome because it offers a unique way to motivate and engage patients in exercise. Traditional treatments often involve lifestyle changes like diet and physical activity, but virtual reality makes exercising more immersive and enjoyable. The VR-virtual reality exercise involves 20 minutes of virtual cycling, which can make the experience more engaging compared to regular stationary biking. Additionally, there's an option that combines real cycling with virtual cycling (VR+), enhancing the workout experience further. These features could help improve adherence to exercise routines, potentially leading to better health outcomes for people with metabolic syndrome.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for metabolic syndrome?

Research shows that virtual reality (VR) exercise can improve health. Studies have found that VR exercise can lower risks associated with metabolic syndrome, including high blood sugar and high cholesterol. In this trial, participants will join different treatment arms to evaluate the effectiveness of VR exercise. One arm involves 20 minutes of virtual cycling, while another combines 20 minutes of sub-maximal cycling exercise with virtual cycling. A third arm involves 20 minutes of sub-maximal cycling exercise alone. Early studies suggest that VR can prompt the body to react as it does during physical exercise, such as by raising heart rate and activity levels. Overall, VR exercise appears promising for enhancing physical health, especially for those who find regular exercise challenging. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Robert J Wessells, PhD

Principal Investigator

Wayne State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for sedentary individuals who may be pre-diabetic or have hypertension. It's designed to see if VR can simulate the benefits of exercise in those unable to engage in physical activity due to various conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

I understand the study requires an equal number of men and women.

Blood glucose HbA1C: 5.7-6.4% or 100-125 mg/dL

BP: systolic<120 and diastolic<80 mmHg, systolic 120-129 mmHg and diastolic <80 mmHg, or systolic >130 mmHg and diastolic >80 mmHg

Exclusion Criteria

BP: Systolic >160 mmHg and Diastolic >110 mmHg

BMI>35kg/m2

Currently involved in an exercise program or similar activity

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants undergo repeated, controlled exposure to VR stimuli and/or cycling exercise to induce adrenergic activity

10 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Virtual Reality

Trial Overview

The study tests whether a 20-minute cycling exercise paired with Virtual Reality (VR) can mimic the effects of actual exercise by inducing changes in protein expression and endurance, as seen through heart rate and other responses.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: VR-virtual reality exercise Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

20 minutes virtual cycling

Group II: VR+: 20 minutes sub max cycling exercise + virtual reality Active Control 2 Interventions

20 minutes cycling exercise + 20 minutes virtual cycling

Group III: EX-20 minutes sub max cycling exercise Active Control 1 Intervention

20 minutes cycling exercise

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Wayne State University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

318

Recruited

111,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11791450/

At-Home Immersive Virtual Reality Exergames to Reduce ...

This exploratory study aims to examine the interventional efficacy of at-home immersive VR exergames on metabolic syndrome biomarkers among office workers.

2.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1520068/pdf

Effectiveness and acceptance of virtual reality vs. ...

This pilot study examines the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based exercise compared to traditional exercise, both combined with Self- ...

3.

dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com

dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dom.70318

Evaluating the use of virtual reality for weight management

The findings also showed that VR-enhanced treatments were as effective as evidence-based conventional therapies in weight reduction after ...

4.

games.jmir.org

games.jmir.org/2025/1/e75777

Effects of an Immersive Virtual Reality–Based Exercise ...

Overall, the VR-based exercise intervention produced meaningful health outcome changes, suggesting that immersive engagement in PA may amplify ...

5.

mdpi.com

mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/15/5550

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Training Versus ...

Overall, the reviewed studies confirm that VR training effectively improves balance in older adults, with the context of VR application (alone or combined with ...

6.

journalofexerciseandnutrition.com

journalofexerciseandnutrition.com/index.php/JEN/article/download/201/181/927

Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality ...

Initial findings indicate that VR exercise can improve both physiological and psychological outcomes related to physical activity9-11. However, ...

7.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525002955

The impact of a workplace virtual reality-delivered exercise ...

This pilot study suggests that a workplace-integrated VR-E may be a viable intervention to improve CHI, which may indicate reduced CVE risk and all-cause ...